FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 20, 2026

Contact: Josie Harms

Gov. Rhoden Signs Pro-Life Bills into Law

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed three pro-life bills into law, including HB 1274, which stops illegal abortion pills from killing South Dakota babies and harming South Dakota moms. Governor Rhoden signed these bills at the Alpha Center, a crisis pregnancy center in Sioux Falls. You can find a photo from the signing here.

“South Dakota is the most pro-life state in America. Our laws reflect the fact that an unborn child is a person – and that child is worthy of our protection and respect,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “By stopping illegal abortion pills from coming into South Dakota, we continue to stand for life and protect the next generation of South Dakotans.”

In his State of the State Address, Governor Rhoden highlighted the fact that the biggest threat to unborn lives in South Dakota is the illegal shipment of abortion pills into the state. Governor Rhoden previously worked with Attorney General Marty Jackley to stop illegal advertisements of these pills; now HB 1274 allows the Attorney General to actually prosecute the shipment of pills for purposes of an unlawful abortion.

Governor Rhoden also signed the following two bills:

• HB 1257 amends the definition of an abortion to make clear that miscarriage management and ectopic pregnancy are not abortions; and
• HB 1313 requires education in prenatal human growth and development.

Governor Rhoden has signed 193 bills into law and vetoed one this legislative session.

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